Condenser steam space divider



Sept 7, 1965 A. F. sMrrH m CONDENSER STEAM SPACE DIVIDER Filed NOV. 30, 1961 f f f INVENTOR.

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his ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,204,692 CONDENSER STEAM SPACE DIVIDER Alexander F. Smith HI, Wyoinissing, Pa., assigner to Gilbert Associates, Inc., Reading, Pa. Filed Nov. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 156,087 1 Claim. (Cl. 165-110) This invention relates to a steam turbine-generator unit and, more particularly, to a single-Water pass condenser construction therefor which will provide higher eiiiciency and thermodynamic advantage over a conventional condensor.

Many of the large steam turbine-generator units currently manufactured and envisioned for the future involve two or more low-pressure turbines exhausting either to individual condensers or to one large condenser. In the latter case, the condensing pressure is effectively determined by the condenser design terminal difference and the water temperature leaving the condenser (the highest water temperature). This temperature will determine the exhaust conditions of all of the low pressure turbines.

An object of the invention is to improve the eiciency of such condenser by equipping it with a steam space divider sheet, whereby the efficiency and output of the lowpressure turbines exhausting into the rst steam space would be improved by the lower condensing pressure obtained there as a result of the divider sheet, Whereas that of the second steam space will remain substantially the same.

A more specific object of the invention is to create the effect of placing two steam condensers, each with a separate and independent steam source, in series in relation to the Water circuit in order to take advantage of the reduced steam pressure obtainable with the colder Water inlet, which effect is accomplished by dividing the steam space of a conventional single-water pass condenser with multiple steam admissions into two or more spaces with a special steam space divider sheet.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

The single figure is a schematic diagram of a single water pass condenser equipped with a space divider sheet in accordance with the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, numerals 1 and 3 denote the top portions of a conventional singlewater pass condenser with multiple steam admissions through dome portions 2 and 4 which introduce exhaust steam from a first and second low pressure turbine, re-

pectively. Cooling water at about 71 F. is introduced into the inlet water box 7 through inlet pipe 8 and the water, after circulating through the tube bundle 6 is discharged through discharge water box 9 and through outlet pipe 10 at about 101 F.

In accordance with the present invention, a steam space divider sheet 5 is firmly attached to the condenser shell along the sides and cross the top of the steam dome and extends downwardly below the normal hotwell operating level to prevent the movement of condensing steam around the divider sheet. Thus it differs in construction from a conventional tube support plate. Other differences in construction over such tube support plate is that the space divider sheet may be thicker to withstand the steam pressure differential, also the clearances between the tubes ICC and tube holes in the divider plate may be reduced to restrict steam leakage along the tubes. No physical connections between the tubes and the divider plate will be provided since steam leakage will be effectively minimized by the (l) reduced clearances, (2) increased plate thickness, and the surface tension of the water film on the tube. These features of the divider sheet will effectively divide the steam space into two independent sections, each with a different condensing temperature and pressure.

Because of the cooler inlet water, the condenser space to the left of space divider 5 will have a lower pressure, that is, about 1.6 Hg abs. than the space to the right of the divider, wherein the pressure is about 2.4" Hg abs., thus the hotwell level 12 is higher than that of hot- Well 13, in the respective spaces, by a difference 11 which corresponds to the difference in pressures of the chambers.

Thus the eiciency and the output of the low pressure turbines "exhausting into the first steam space, that is, to the left of divider 5, would be improved by the lower condensing pressure obtained there as a result of the divider sheet, while the performance of the turbines exhausting into the second steam space, to the right of sheet 5, would remain unchanged and be the same as would exist if the divider sheet were not installed. Thus, a significant thermodynamic advantage is obtained by the addition of the divider sheet.

A still further advantage of the steam space divider is the possibility for a reduction in condenser tube surface, hence, cost. If desired, the possibility in reduced condensing pressure in the lirst pass may be translated directly to a saving in first cost by reducing the surface in the first pass until the condenser pressures in each space are equal. It should be further noted that it should not be inferred that the steam space divider must divide the condenser into two equal halves. Actually, the size of the heat loads and amount of surfaces on either side of the divider may vary considerably.

Although yonly a single divider sheet is shown, it will be apparent that in some instances, in which more than two low pressure turbines are exhausted, two or more dividers may be used for providing a separate space for each exhaust.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an etlicient single-water pass condenser with multiple steam admissions with two or more spaces, by separating the respective spaces by a divider sheet for maintaining different steam pressures, thereby increasing the efficiency and the output of the low-pressure steam turbines exhausting into the space or spaces of lower condensing pressure.

While I have illustrated and described a single specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only, and that various changes and modifications may be made Within the contemplation of my invention and within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

For use with a steam turbine-generator unit including at least two low pressure turbines, a single water pass condenser including a housing having at one end an inlet water box, a tube bundle in series with said inlet water box and extending longitudinally through the entire length of the housing, a discharge water box in series with said bundle and located at the other end of the housing for conducting all of the cooling water through the condenser in one direction from said inlet water box to said discharge water box, said housing including at least two longitudinally spaced hoods, each adapted to be connected to one of said low pressure turbines so as to introduce exhaust steam into at least two longitudinally displaced spaces within said condenser, said housing having a single well portion depending from the bottom thereof, at least one steam space divider in the form of a thick metal wall extending transversely of said condenser and transversely across and between said hoods to prevent communication between the hoods, and having holes very 'closely fitting but not physically connected to the tubes of said tube bundle to minimize leakage, and dipping below the hotwell level of water collecting in said well portion of said condenser to provide at least two different levels in said spaces and to prevent movement of condensing steam around said space divider and thus make said spaces completely separate so that the space closest said inlet water box will have lower pressure than the space closest said outlet box and so that said spaces will maintain different temperatures, whereby the efciency ofthe condenser is greatly improved.

References Cited by the Examiner UNTTED STATES PATENTS 1,605,157 11/26 Bancel 165-113 1,782,986 11/30 Dean 165-113 2,197,651 4/40 Rosch 60-95 2,998,227 8/61 Gaston 165-143 FOREIGN PATENTS 210,051 8/24 Great Britain.

CHARLES SUKALO, Primary Examiner. 

